How do I taper from my antidepressant with tryptophan and can I safely use the other amino acids?

Today’s article is based on a question I am seeing more and more on the blog: How do I taper from my antidepressant with tryptophan and can I safely use the other amino acids?

I find my clients do better when tapering off an antidepressant (which is often prescribed for anxiety and panic attacks) when their nutritional status is solid. Incorporating diet changes and adding amino acids and other nutrients first can result in a more successful taper with less side-effects. This would mean starting with the basics – eating real whole food, incorporating quality animal protein, eating to balance blood sugar, and removing gluten, caffeine and sugar.

If needed and based on testing results, it’s important to address any other nutritional deficiencies such as low iron, low vitamin D, low stomach acid, low total cholesterol, low B12 (and whatever else is an issue), plus support the adrenals/sex hormones/thyroid if needed and addressing gut health like leaky gut and dysbiosis.

Adding a good copper free multivitamin and often the addition of zinc and vitamin B6, evening primrose oil and possibly fish oil – the latter based on each person’s unique needs.

With antidepressants such as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), I have my clients work with their prescribing doctor and get the approval to add tryptophan (or 5-HTP) 6 hours apart from the SSRI. If they are taking the medication at night they get the approval from their doctor to switch it to the morning, and will take tryptophan (or 5-HTP) at least 6 hours later, mid-afternoon and evening.

If they decide to do both the medication and tryptophan (or 5-HTP), they get a protocol for the SSRI taper for the future. This is important. If you are in too big a rush to start right away, it often causes more issues. It’s also important to make sure you get a very slow taper protocol from your doctor. Some antidepressants are harder to taper (Paxil is notoriously difficult) and they all should be tapered really slowly.

The plan is to start to taper the SSRI once you have been using the tryptophan (or 5-HTP) for at least 4 to 8 weeks and are seeing real benefits by using it. This translates to much much less or none of the following symptoms: anxiety, depression, insomnia, rumination, worry, negative-self-talk, perfectionism, afternoon and evening carbohydrate cravings, PMS, rage or anger.

For some of my clients it’s 3 months before they feel they are ready to taper. This may be because of feedback they have provided based on prior taper attempts and how they are feeling this time. It may also be based on what else is going on in their lives like a stressful work situation. It may also be based on the time of the year: winter is generally not a good time to taper and definitely not if you suffer from increased depression or anxiety in winter.

The tryptophan (or 5-HTP) is adjusted up as needed while continuing to taper the SSRI.

The doctor is always kept informed and monitors for the possibility of serotonin syndrome. I learned about the potential concerns about serotonin syndrome when using tryptophan or 5-HTP with an SSRI from Julia Ross, author of The Mood Cure, and so I continue to caution my clients about this.

the most important thing is that we really establish all the basics and that they’re in the healthiest place possible. Because if those aren’t there, if a patient just gets off the medication and we haven’t really done anything to change the underlying reasons why they got to the place where they had the mood issue, in most cases they’re going to go back there again.

Some people need amino acid support in more than just the low serotonin area so we review the amino acid questionnaire and consider trials of GABA and other amino acids too. All this only applies for SSRIs and tryptophan or 5-HTP. The other amino acids can safely be used with SSRIs, and it’s not uncommon to also have low GABA, low endorphins, low catecholamines and low blood sugar and need them all, but it’s still best to discuss them with the prescribing doctor.

Some people choose to work with their doctor to taper the SSRI and then add the tryptophan (or 5-HTP) once they have quit the medication. I have found that this makes it much harder to do and more side-effects are seen. With the amino acids you start to get some relief right away and have hope on the first day! They also make it so much easier to quit the sugar, gluten and caffeine without having to use will-power.

In summary, these are my recommendations for doing an SSRI taper with amino acids:

doctor’s approval to taper the SSRI and use amino acids

address diet and nutritional deficiencies first – before starting to taper

Reader Interactions

Comments

“When I interviewed Dr. Peter Bongiorno in season 4 of the Anxiety Summit (Serotonin and anxiety: tryptophan, 5-HTP, serotonin syndrome and medication tapers), he shared that he is not concerned about serotonin syndrome being an issue with tryptophan or 5-HTP dosed with an SSRI, even if taken at the same time. He cited research that found the combination of tryptophan and SSRI did not result in serotonin syndrome in any of the participants.”

Yes, I too can attest to having never had a hint of anything bad happening when taking 5-HTTP at the same time as an SSRI (and I have done so many times). It may be different for everyone, but personally, I have had zero negative impact (at least nothing I have ever remotely detected) from doing so.

I am very confused about the role of neurotransmittors in depression, anxiety, and OCD. Dr. Brogan thinks they do not play a role, but you seem to disagree. I have been on anti-depressants for over 20 years, and have gradually tapered – from 150 mg of Zoloft down to 15 (which is a minucule amount and way below the therapeutic dose) but started having such bad side effects I couldn’t go lower. I am now following Dr. Brogan’s book and hope to get off it completely in time, but it is rough going.

My naturopath put me on Dr. Hinz’ protocol. He uses massive amounts of 5 HTP and tyrosine. The theory is that the brain has been so wrecked by drugs, that it has stopped making serotonin and dopamine and needs tons of the precursors in order to function properly. Have you heard of this approach? Any opinion on it? I am curious if you would consider interviewing him and his approach.

I am caught between thinking my serotonin is wrecked, and that it doesn’t make any difference at all (Dr. Brogan). Can you please clarify????

Neurotransmitters absolutely play a role in anxiety and depression and I think you’ll find Dr. Brogan agrees. She just feels that dietary changes and addressing the microbiome and inflammation is more important as a first step – and later addressing other nutritional deficiencies. She does also use amino acids when tapering medications (I think to a limited extent). I have just found that my clients need all the support they can get to make the taper less painful – hence my use of amino acids from day 1.

I don’t use the Hinz protocol as each person is unique and I have not found a one-size fits all approach for anything for any one person. Also many of my anxious clients cannot tolerate tyrosine until we have the anxiety under control with GABA or tryptophan. I also start with tryptophan because 5-HTP can raise cortisol and not help for the wired-tired anxiety/depression. I would never say the brain is so wreaked but the meds can cause havoc and be more problematic with some people. Others seems to do fine on them and tapering. Again that uniqueness.

And yes I’d love to interview him but would like to first attend his training so I have a better feel for the rationale. I have heard that practitioners have very good results with this type of approach for Parkinson’s disease.

It is unfortunate there are all these differing approaches but that’s good because we have to question and learn from each other. And clearly people do benefit from each of them or else we wouldn’t be doing it the way we do. It’s a matter of finding your solution.

The part about the brain being so wrecked from drugs is my inpterpretation of things – not Dr. Hinz’. But after being on AD for so long, I think my brain is far from normal in it’s ability to produce and balance any sort of neurotchemicals.

Dr. Hinz addresses a lot of different issues – anxiety, depression, bipolar, etc. I am using it to help stabilize after a long history with AD.

His approach isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. The initial starting dose is the same for everyone, and it often works to resolve symptoms. But if this is not the case, you do urine testing. It is different from the urine testing for neurotransmittors that others do – he has developed something called Organic Cation Transporter testing, which I don’t quite understand, but apparently provides an accurate indication of what is going on.

Following the testing, dose adjustments are made. Dr. Hinz will review the lab reports himself, and offer recommendations to the naturopath as to what changes need to be made.

Once again, if the dose adjustment doesn’t resolve symptoms the process is repeated – another test, then another dose adjustment. This can be quite costly and time consuming, but after a series of tests and does adjustments, you get to the optimum dose for each individual. It is different for everyone, based on your ow unique needs. The goal isn’t just to raise the level of neurotransmittors, but to achieve the correct balance between them.

I don’t understand a lot of the science behind this approach, but he has been doing this for over 20 years, and has published a lot on the subject.

Regarding Susan’s comments about K.Brogan’s views on neurotransmitters: If I understood her book properly, she was just making the point that she doesn’t believe that deficiencies are the primary cause of depression, but rather inflammation from malnutrition, poor gut health, stress etc. And thus, treating with SSRIs for instance, has no benefits and only negative consequences of desensitising the synapses and also reducing the amount of serotonin available in the brain – actually causing a serotonin deficiency.

Does this protocol apply also to tapering off lamotrigene? I am in the middle of a taper from 100 mg per day and have made it to 52 mg tapering only 10% dose reductions. I am supporting myself with methylated B12, Omega 3 F.A., D3 and other supplements under advisement from a professional who uses energy/muscle testing. I do get breakthrough anxiety and anger issues sometimes. Would amino acids help with this?
Thank you for all the knowledge you are providing to those of us who are recovering from medication damage. I also had to taper off Klonopin and oxcarbezapine. It has taken 13 years to to achieve this with no help from the traditional psychiatrist who prescribed them to me in 2002.

Valerie
You are so welcome! Sorry to hear you have been on your own with this. Lamotrigene/Lamictal is not an SSRI so there are not the same tryptophan/5-HTP precautions to be followed.

For anyone with anxiety/anger issues I have them do the amino acid questionnaire and a trial of the respective amino acidshttps://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/anxiety-amino-acids-overview/. Anxiety can be low serotonin and low GABA, anger is typically low serotonin or low blood sugar – and so yes the amino acids are often very helpful for this.

A neurologist prescribed Prozac for me in 2012. By day 5 I could barely walk. It was frightening how fast it came on. I’ve always had weak, heavy legs, but push on. This time I was out shopping at the mall and I really thought I was going to need a wheel chair to get out. Stopping every five minutes to gather strength. Scary. Stopped taking immediately. Neurologist wanted me to try Paxil, I said no. I had previously been taking 5HTP at night since 2009.

Trudy, am I correct understanding that seratonin is made in the gut and in the brain. If your low in one, is the other automatically low? Or can one be low and other high?

Jaci
Wow, sorry to hear this! But the advantage of this is that you weren’t on it for years only to discover challenges with tapering.

Does the 5-HTP help you? and how?

Most serotonin is made in the gut and there is a bidirectional connection between the gut and brain via the vagus nerve. Testing is not sophisticated enough (yet!) to measure it in both places but from my work I’d say they could both be low, both high or one low and one high.

I never felt any benefit from 5HTP. Was up to 4 a night. Nothing. I may have even been taking it when I tried Prozac, but can’t remember for sure. I stopped taking it 2013. It’s in my supplement graveyard box under the sink I took multiple blood and urine tests in 2009 (metametrix and another I can’t remember name of) and it shows my serotonin levels ok. So looking back I’m not sure why functional doc still had me taking 5HTP. This has me wondering re:gut/brain serotonin. I will tell you what has helped recently… 9000mg of omega 3 daily. I heard it on one of the talks (I really should make note of these talks, so many I get lost who said what). But it was a neuro specialist talking about flooding the brain with omegas to heal damage, along with dampening inflammation and increasing blood flow. Since an ultrasound of my brain blood flow showed slowing (no clots) I thought I’d try it. And I will admit I feel a bit perkier.

I successfully did this with Zoloft, thanks to you, Trudy, and Julia Ross. I’m two months past my last dose of Zoloft and doing pretty well. I still take Lidtke tryptophan, GABA, and l-theanine daily as well as other things, like C, B complex, fish oil etc. What I would do differently: follow the advice to clean up my diet FIRST. I was a clean eater but hadn’t given up important things like dairy and coffee. (which I am now doing) My advice to others: hang in there through the weaning/withdrawal process. It will pass and it will be worth it. Be gentle with yourself, too. My doctor has been very supportive, also, throughout this process. In fact, in between two of my visits she had looked up both this website and Julia Ross’s, and was giving me advice based on both! So don’t be afraid to discuss these methods with your doctor and get their assistance, also.

Abby
This is wonderful to hear! I’m so happy for you! Thanks for sharing here – this will inspire others and give them hope! I’m also glad to hear your lovely advice about being gentle with yourself and working with your doctor (who sounds wonderful!). I agree the diet and caffeine is a big one that many people skip.

Trudy – I’m getting ready to start a taper from 50 mg of Zoloft. My doctor has me going down to 37mg. Do you have any articles on that? I have been looking on your website and can’t seem to find one.

I’m also still breastfeeding three times per day. Do you recommend the amino acids while breastfeeding. My doctor had no idea. When I took the quizes in the book – I scored high on the GABA supplement.

I love all your stuff — just frustrating I can’t find someone local with this kind of knowledge

Desirae
This blog post explains just this and you may want to share it with your doctor. The amino acids have not been tested in breastfeeding but with the doctor’s ok I have my clients use them right after feeding and then not feeding for another 3-4 hours. Also monitoring baby is advised.

I’m having a bit of an issue getting started. I have been under extreme stress for a very prolonged time and I am on many many medications for various issues but the majority being anxiety, depression, PTSD and insomnia. My psychiatrist had me on 3 antidepressants to cover all these issues but I am having serious side effects from at least one or two of the meds. My neurologist noticed breakthrough anxiety and prescribed xanax which helps some of the major anxiety but made my psych very angry. Another issue that came up is obvious tardic discanesea which he said could be caused by 1 of 2 of the antidepressants and he stopped one cold turkey. I tried to bring up to him that I wanted to get off meds and on a more natural protocol with GABA and Tryptophan and he was very negative toward the idea. I could tell he had no idea of what I was trying to explain but instead through out flimsy reasons not to do it. So now I’m left floating and not sure how to proceed. How do I get off the remaining antidepressants and the xanax so that I can safely use the Tryptophan and GABA? And I’m not even sure if there are any other supplements I may need.
Sorry for the extra long note. Just a lot going on. Thank you for your help

Hello Susan,
In regard to your post on Nov. 18 about the Hinz protocol and using large amounts of 5-HTP and Tyrosine…. Have you been using both and how did it affect your anxiety? I had a Dr. (that I was doing neurofeedback with) who wanted me to take a product called NeuroReplete that has 5-HTP and large amounts of Tyrosine. I was totally afraid to try it because of what Trudy mentioned about the possibility of it making anxiety worse.
Margaret

There are a couple of follow up comments to my post on Dr. Hinz’ protocol (above) that you may be interested in looking at.

He has developed a whole system, with quite a bit of research behind it. You start by taking 4 Neuroreplete twice a day. If symptoms aren’t resolved, you add 4 Replete Extra the following week. Then, if necessary, you add another 4 Repelte Extra in week three.

Apparently a lot of people have resolution of symptoms within the first three weeks – at either the first, second, or third dosage level. My naturopath has seen this happen quite a bit.

If there is not a resolution of symptoms, you are given a urine test, and dose adjustments are made based on the results.

For me, it was a long and expensive process. I needed about 8 tests and adjustments, and didn’t see results for many months.

This was partly because I was a complicated case and have a lot of issues. (depression, OCD, Tourettes, anxiety). OCD is apparently one of the hardest things to treat. I also had a lot of “paradoxical” reactions, where I would feel worse on a certain dose, rather then better. But I think I have finally found the right dose.

I tried this protocol because I was desperate. Tapering off of antidepressats was a horrendous experience for me. I tried using individual amino acids, since so many people have success with this – but could never find the right combination or amount on my own. This was prrobably because my case was was so complicated and because (at least this protocol) I need very high amounts.

Good luck with your decision. I hope you will repost if you decide to try it, and what your results are.

I have been taking 75 mgs. of venlafaxine for about 5 years. My memory, both short and long term has become so bad, it was effecting my daily living. Being 71 years old I thought I may be getting dementia. I recently married, yes, that the good old age of 71! I felt I had a good support system to taper off my med, which I was taking for severe anxiety and depression. I did research and found a book titled, How to get off Psychoactive Drugs Safely. It is tThe Road Back Program, authored by James Harper N.C.and Jayson Austin N.C. I used all his supplements and followed his protocol, and am now off my med, still with small amount of side effects, still using his protocol. It absolutely helped me through this nightmare. The book is free, and covers all types of melds. Very well explained. I highly recommend it. God bless all who who are tapering.

My wife is currently weaning herself of 50 mg Pristiq (Desvenlafaxine), which is an SNRI not SSRI. I suggested she taper based on the schedule found at SA and go to a compounding pharmacy to accurately do so, but she preferred to follow the Dr’s advice and alternate days. She is now taking one 50 mg pill every 3rd day, soon to be every 4th day. As you can imagine, she is suffering from the withdrawal and it is impacting her work and home life.

Is it possible for her to use the 5-HTP and L-Tyrosine at the same time as still taking her medication, or is it better for her to wait until she is completely off the medication first?

I am concerned that if she takes 5-HTP whilst still having Pristiq in her system, it may cause Serotonin Syndrome or something like this.

Unfortunately, her prescribing doctor (psychiatrist) has not been very helpful in discussing alternative remedies or supplements to aid in coming off Pristiq.

Dawood
I can’t give specific advice via the blog (only to clients). I would follow the guidelines I’ve outlined in this blog and ideally find a supportive prescribing doctor or/or add a functional medicine practitioners to her team. The key with all tapers is super slow with plenty of nutritional support – best before starting any taper.

Dagwood, if you are taking a tablet, I think it is better to take it every day, cutting down a little, say, every two weeks or longer as your body adjusts. However, if you are taking capsules, you can’t cut them,so your only choice is every other day. Take your time. I know from experience that you will have side effects, some of us worse then others and depending on the med.DON’T give in to the side effects! Those drugs will destroy your brain. God bless.

Hi Trudy,
I’m on Celexa 20mg and Effexor 75mg. I had been on SSRI’s for about 20 years and the SNRI for about 2 years.
I will start a taper with my Doctor’s approval. But when you take 2 different antideppresants, do you taper off one first and then the other one? Or both at the same time?
I will really appreciate your orientation. Thanks! 🙂

Trudy,
I’m reading that many people benefit from taking 5-HTP with SSRI’s. I am on Remeron which is in a class all it’s own. Have you effectively used amino acids with others coming off of this drug?? Is it safe, as far as you can tell, to use amino acids with this drug?? It has been recommended to me to use Sam-E, and also 5-HTP, but I have been very frightened to try either of these.

Jill
I don’t have experience with anyone on Remeron (Mirtazapine). Per this site http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/mirtazapine “is not structurally related to any of the classes of antidepressants” and “Potentiates effects of norepinephrine and serotonin by blocking their synaptic reuptake.” So I’d assume the same tryptophan/5-HTP rules would apply. Tyrosine may also be a problem. GABA, glutamine and DPA would likely be ok to use but I’d have my client check with their prescribing doctor.

I am on anti depressants and my daily dose of medicines are 2.5mg olanzapine and 15mg. mirtazepine since 3 months.I want to wean off these drugs and wish to replace/uitilize natural amino acids for fighting my depression/anxiety panic attacks with the guidance of some expert in the field.

Hello. I stopped taking Prozac a week ago after only taking it for 3 weeks. I had horrible side effects that I could not handle. And I really couldn’t handle them because it was adding to the anxiety and insomnia problems I already was having. Unfortunately I still only sleep an hour or two a night, and when I do I have crazy dreams. My question is, do you think adding 500 mg of l-tryptophan to my diet every other night would hurt considering I’ve only been off Prozac a week? My doctor doesn’t seem to specialize in mental health at all and I’m currently seeking a psychiatrist. Thank you

Corey
I would always suggest checking with the prescribing psychiatrist. The dosing is typically 6 hours from the SSRI so I would feel comfortable with a client trialing tryptophan knowing their doctor is ok with it.

My md would like me to get off Zoloft and on to tryptophan instead but says I can’t do it until I am off the Zoloft completely because of serotonin syndrome. So I am reading this correctly that if taken 6 or more hours apart, tryptophan can actually help get off the Zoloft and I needn’t be concerned about the syndrome? This would be wonderful news

Reading these posts has really brought me hope! I have tried to go off of Cipralex twice in the last four years, and was unsuccessful. My taper was slow, over a year and a half, but I realize now that the drop was too large (from 20mg to 10mg to 5mg, then 5mg every other day to off). I went back up to 10mg until stable in the withdrawal in August, but I was not defeated! I do not need this medication anymore, so I am very determined to come off of it.

Since then, I have done a great deal of reading and have made huge changes to my diet, exercise and sleep habits to prepare for my next attempt. I’m down to 9mg and doing fine, of course, I didn’t run into much trouble in my past attempts until I got to 5mg very second day (I can’t believe this is the recommended approach to going off this medication!). This time is different. I am working with my GP and a pharmacist at a compounding pharmacy on tapering in small increments (as low as 1% if necessary) to get off of the last 9mg. I’ve stopped eating anything with sugar or wheat for two weeks and started taking supplements (fish oils, etc that I read about in Julia Ross’s book). That alone has made a huge difference. I’ve ordered your book since coming across your presentation on amino acids. After going through the lists you presented, I am interested in starting the amino acids as soon as I can! I have a Dr appt next week and plan to discuss starting with tryptophan.

I’m still learning about the other amino acids. My question is, did I read correctly that they can be taken while on an SSRI?

Victoria
I’m so glad you’re finding answers and yes a super slow taper is key for so many people. I do use tryptophan with clients who are tapering off a SSRI as I mention in the article – and with their doctor’s approval and monitoring.

I had an appointment with my GP this morning. We worked out a plan to taper off Cipralex in small increments (9mg to 8.5mg, then down to 8.0mg and so on down), remaining at each dose for at least 4 weeks, but as long as needed. Luckily, the pharmacist I am working with on this is very understanding and I am able to stay at each dose as long as needed. I can switch up the amount that I drop as needed, which is what I think will happen as I get closer to 5mg. I had severe withdrawals at 5mg, but I got there way too quickly in my previous attempts.

My GP supports the use of L-tryptophan taken in the late afternoon along with the Cipralex taken in the morning. He does not believe it will result in serotonin syndrome, but agreed that monitoring is necessary just in case. He also said he has never had a patient have this much difficulty coming if Cipralex or anyone requiring l-tryptophan or 5htp to come off Cipralex, so he was not able to really say how much to take, but to start with a minimal amount.

I checked at my healthfood store on the way home from my appt and they carry L-tryptophan (“Now”)(220mg). I have ordered your and Julia Ross’s books. Are there guidelines in the books on how much l-tryptophan to start with? The pharmacist helping with my taper suggested to start with 1/4 amount of one capsule and see if there are any negative effects, but I’m a bit nervous about it!

Current dose of Cipralex is 9mg and this is day 13 at that dose. Only a few minor withdrawals so far (slight burning feeling and tingling sensation under my arms and down my right side-I’ve had this before while in withdrawal). I took sugar out of my diet completely when I started on the 9mg. Thirteen days “clean” 😉 and feeling pretty good simply from that. I want to do this right, it’s my third attempt to come off Cipralex.

Wow! What a powerful article full of all kinds of nuggets of knowledge. I am on an SSRI and a Benzodiazepine for General Anxiety Disorder. I recognize the place to start is diet and exercise. After reading this article I want to speak to my psychiatrist about tapering with 5-HTP. I also have your book on order. Is it best to taper off the SSRI first or can both medications be tapered at once? Any insight is appreciated!! Thank you for your work!

Alana
I have found that having my clients do one taper at a time is easiest. It also depends on the medication, how long they’ve been taking each one and prior history of tapers – together with the support of the prescribing doctor. The season can make a difference too – with many doing better tapering SSRIs in summer due to increased winter depression and anxiety. With any taper, super slow is key (often slower than some doctors advise) as is being nutritionally sound. Many of my clients have to educate their doctors about the amino acids, taper process and nutritional psychiatry so having a supporting doctor makes a big difference.

Trudy, what if you have one of those well meaning but highly resistant practitioners that won’t listen to the explanation and refuses to acknowledge the benefits of opting out of the traditional medications in favor of a natural path to treat these conditions?

Julie
This is a great question! Some people take longer to come around and it often happens when they experience the benefits of natural health approaches first hand or with a family member. Unfortunately some people will never change.

As long as it’s not impacting our health/treatment plan I would stick with them and keep plugging away. If it is having an impact on our health/treatment but we have a good relationship with them I say stay with them for medical emergencies and find someone else for the nutritional support. I believe it’s good to have a team on our side anyway so we get varied expertise. An MD, a ND, a nutritionist, a herbalist etc all bring something of value to the table.

Am currently tapering off Prozac 20mg. Am using omega 3, B complex, vit D3, magnesium. Also addressing gut health by taking glutamine and probiotics. Can you please list the amino acids that are helpful for tapering

Hi Trudy! First of all – thank you so much for all of the work you do. Your website has literally been an absolute saving grace for me. Two years ago I tried to come off of lexparo after being on it for nine years. little did I know the hell and almost death I was going to face from the horrific withdrawal. I was down below 4mg and got myself back up to 7mg (had tapered from 10mg) to get myself stable. I added in fish oils, b vitamins, vitamin d, and recently had an iron infusion because I have big issues absorbing nutrients from foods (low stomach acid, candida issues, etc). I should also mention I do not eat gluten, dairy, grains or soy. On top of all that – my emotional issues these past two years have been HORRIFIC – come to find out, caused by the clear as day amino acid imbalance that’s occurring in my brain/body. I could be your “I have all these symptoms” poster child for your amino acid questionaire!!

I am writing all of this to you because I want my life back! I am at my wits end with all of this stuff! I am switching my lexapro from the evening to the morning – I am looking for guidance on how to start these aminos. 6 hours after — can I take them twice a day? And is it alright if I start with the GABA calm first? (I am constantly overwhelmed and stressed out to a point where performing normal small tasks seem mountainous). Thank you in advance for reading all of this, and I am open to any feedback you may have. Also – I am located in upstate NY & if you know of anyone in New York (Aside from Kelly Brogan) who is familiar with this process – I am more than willing to meet with them! I of course signed up to be on your list of new clients when you start taking them again!!

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for putting out this content. I hope someday to empower others as you do — I have to get through this last big step first!

I just wanted to put a bit of an update on here – thought it might help someone else going through the same issues I am while tapering from Cipralex (a.k.a Lexapro).

I began tapering off 10 mg of Cipralex in November 2017. I have my little “Support Team” that includes a compounding pharmacist and my GP. Feeling very fortunate that I have these people as my taper has not exactly gone as planned (although far better than my last two attempts) Originally, the plan was to go down by 10% of the dose and stay at that dose for 4 weeks. That didn’t work for me. I was fine when I dropped from 10mg to 9, but after my next 10% drop I experience that familiar withdrawal hell. I got a little scared, but stuck with it, and decided to stay at that dose for a bit longer. While I leveled out, I did a lot of reading about how SSRIs work. I learned about the 1/2 life of Cipralex (all SSRIs have a different 1/2 life) and what was actually happening physiologically as my body adjusts to the lower dose. It’s a recovery process. With that new knowledge, I decided to try another approach. I knew I couldn’t handle a drop of 10%. So, I started to taper at a rate of .1mg once a week (far less than 10%!). By day three at the new dose, I could feel the withdrawal, but it was far less severe. Small drops=small “withdrawal wave”. I discovered that I am able to manage a 2% drop of the current dose and I have been able to drop that % each week. So, I’m still reducing by 8% a month, which means I am close to the original plan of dropping by 10% a month. At this time I am at 6.24mg. Yes, it is a very slow process and I have a long way to go, but it’s working. I have read that some people have to reduce by 1% of their current dose and remain at that dose for 4 weeks to allow their body the time to heal and adjust to life on the lower dose. Having the liquid compound has made such a difference! You sure would have difficulty accurately shaving off a pill by 2%!! If anyone is trying to come off of this drug, do your best to find a compounding pharmacist!

I find that I must stick to a very healthy diet. I eat a lot of fresh, raw and cooked vegetables. I mean a LOT of vegetables. I eat good sources of protein and walk for at least 45 min almost every day. I steer clear of sugar and caffeine. Both make my withdrawal much worse.

Every day I take omega 3, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin B complex. I take the supplements for pyroluria, b6, evening primrose oil and zinc. I take magnesium at night. I took Trudy’s amino acids course online and did all of the amino acid trials. I discovered all I really need is tryptophan. It has made a huge difference for me. Yes, I take Lidke tryptophan. For us Canadians, it can be ordered online.

I practice mindfulness. I’ve read a lot about the anxious brain (the reason I took Cipralex in the first place) so I understand what is happening now, what is real and what is just noise in my head. Not sure if I’m allowed to recommend any specific books on here, but there are many great books that have given me so much insight into the workings of the mind.

As I said, I’m not out of the woods yet, but so far, this attempt at withdrawal has gone relatively well. The recommended way to withdraw from Cipralex is to cut the dose by 1/2 and then 1/2 again, then go every second day. I tried that approach twice and failed miserably both times. Both times I was advised to go back to 10mg and of course, that’s what I did. Not this time. I will hold firm should I feel the withdrawal as now I know what is happening and how long it will likely last. I have surrounded myself with a support team including my husband, my sister, two wonderful women who have become friends who are also coming off an SSRI, my Naturopath and the awesome leaders in this field like Trudy, Julia Ross and Kelly Brogan. As I said, I took Cipralex for anxiety, so Reid Wilson is my go to for retraining my beautiful Brain. Meditation is very important and there are many great leaders out there to guide everyone in that process. It’s a matter of discovering who resonates with you!

Anyway, that’s my update for now. I’ll check back in after a few more months. I hope that everyone has great success in their taper. My unsolicited advice here is to take it slow and embrace the healing process.

My phsyciatrist as advised me to not to tryptophan while still on Prozac 20mg. She wants me to wait until I am completely weaned off of Prozac to start taking tryptophan. I am going to follow her guidance, but are there any other supplements you recommend that are safe to take with Prozac while tapering off the Prozac that could help with the withdrawal side effects?

Megan
I have my clients make all the dietary changes BEFORE starting any taper, plus address guy health, adrenals, low zinc, low B6 etc (based on what is going on with them). I have found that tryptophan or 5-HTP does make the taper much easier but the prescribing doctor needs to be on board with this.